It was a hackneyed story, ording to thendy.


    Expanding from the center of Reise, the giantpany, Waste, attempted to buy up everything in order to create a new industry, but the long-standing shops rejected this buy-out. In the end, Waste would resort to high-handed methods like what we had seen just now.


    "So? What''s this new industry?" I asked.


    "A general business," said the husband as he picked at his short ck hair.


    "They''ve got restaurants, inns, popr high ss shops like watch shops, as well as brothels, casinos, and even ve businesses," scowled thendy.


    She must have a solid reason to go this far in refusing the buy-out.


    "They n to turn Raindrop Inn into a brothel, casino, or a ve market......"


    "And not just here. There''s rumors that they n on converting all the shops here to brothels or ve markets."


    The husband bit his lip in frustration.


    "Give me a break! This inn has been held afloat by students since way back when. I''ll never let them turn this ce into something like that," dered thendy.


    "Hm, then won''t you make a contract with Sagami Co.? We''ll provide the funds and technology, of course."


    It''d be easier for us to move around that way.


    "But you''re up against the peerless Waste, you know?" he dubiously asked. Aria kept quiet, but was no doubt thinking the same thing.


    "Well if you just suck your thumbs and wait for them to move, this hotel will fall into their hands and transform into a brothel and ve market," I replied.


    "That''s true, but......"


    They''re so evasive. Well, even if they are acquainted with Aria, it''s still probably difficult to trust the words of a child.


    I guess that means I''ll need to switch it up slightly.


    I took out bottles and jars of salt, sugar, soy sauce, miso, and mayonnaise, as well as wind beef and vegetables from my item box, cing them all on the table.


    "This is just a small portion of what ourpany can provide. We manage restaurants, but we''re short on hands. As long as you return a portion of your profits back to ourpany, we''ll provide everything from funds for hiring, ingredients, and new recipes all the way topletely remodeling this store."


    They''d be managing a franchise, so to speak. It''s like a family restaurant or a convenience store, so they''ll need a unified name. If possible, I''d like to ce this corner of the capital under the influence of Sagami Co.


    "T-this taste......"


    The husband timidly reached out to the jar of soy sauce and widened his eyes after a taste before hurriedly reaching out to the other jars.


    After taste testing everything, he crossed his arms and shut his eyes.


    "......Dear!"


    After she called out to him several times, he finally opened his eyes and fixated on me.


    "Boy, where did you get these ingredients?"


    "Ourpany has developed all of them. There''s plenty more vors I''d like to look into, so expect the selection to grow even more."


    "I see......" he trailed off, pursing his lips. Hesitation dwelled in his eyes, as well as a violent anticipation.


    "Boy, why would you go so far Raindrop Inn? Is it because of Miss Aria?"


    "Please don''t belittle me. I''m a merchant. If there weren''t any value to buying this ce, I''d forsake you. There''s only one reason I''m spending money here: it''s a good inn."


    Honest-to-God, it was the truth. All the long-standing shops here were deteriorating from age, and it''s not like they were selling any special foods or goods.


    However, all the stores here researched for the sake of the students who would buy from them. There''s reason to spend money on this ce.


    The husband stared up at the ceiling for a while before turning back to his wife and, as if he were about to go on a pic, casually asked her, "You wanna give it a shot?"


    No. Looking at her faint smile, it wasn''t a question, but something closer to a confirmation.


    "Sure thing. And---"


    "Of course, we''re prepared to make contracts with the other stores. If you''ve any rmendations, I''ll provide a ce to talk in a few days so introduce them then," I said.


    "Sorry for making you go to these lengths."


    "Thanks."


    The two bowed deeply.


    "No, save your thanks for when once everything''s concluded and your business is going smoothly. Now then, I''ll have the details written on this document. There are several ns here, so please confirm."


    Yes. This is extremely convenient. I nced at Aria, who was staring at us in a daze, and said, "Aria, you''re a member of Sagami Co., right?"


    "Y-yes!"


    She hurriedly nodded her head.


    "Then I''ll leave it to you to settle the contract."


    "Huh? M-me!?" she eximed.


    I chuckled internally and said, "You''ve a debt to this city, right? Then, use your own power to return the favor!"


    People would get back on their feet by themselves if you gave them a role, or something like that. I''d give her so much work to do she wouldn''t have any time to spare thinking about her father.


    "O-okay! I got it. I''ll do my best!"


    She sped her hands together, burning with determination. I gave her a sidelong nce before returning to my room in order to write the documents.